Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas speaks during a press conference in 2017. AFP
Abbas will start an official two-day visit to Egypt on Sunday upon an invitation by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the Palestinian news agency WAFA cited Palestine’s Ambassador to Cairo Diab Al-Louh as saying.
Abbas has attended each of the three previous editions of the forum since it was first launched by El-Sisi in 2017. The WYF’s edition in 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic.
During his visit, Abbas will hold talks with El-Sisi to discuss the latest developments concerning the Palestinian cause and efforts to push forward the peace process, Al-Louh said.
The presidents will also discuss Egypt's efforts to reach a settlement and end division between Palestinian factions, as well as the reconstruction process in the Gaza Strip after the Israeli aggression against the enclave last year.
Israeli forces launched thousands of air and artillery attacks against many areas of the Gaza Strip in May last year for 11 days, killing over 250 Palestinians, including 66 children and 39 women.
A number of preparatory workshops were held on the sidelines of the WYF on Saturday, including a workshop on sustainable water policies and another on Generation Z's perspective on the post-pandemic world.
The WYF will kick off on Monday with an opening ceremony followed by a plenary session on the coronavirus pandemic.
Over the next three days, several sessions, workshops, and events will discuss a number of key issues including the future of healthcare, behavioral and psychological repercussions in the post-pandemic worlds, as well as climate.
The forum’s agenda will include discussions of others issues like the future of energy, sustainable water security, global peace and security and the reconstruction of post-conflict areas in addition to focusing on upholding human values through arts and creativity as well as building security and an inclusive world for women.
The WYF also announced on Thursday that it launched a virtual interactive platform for all those who cannot attend the forum in Sharm El-Sheikh in person, allowing them to attend the events remotely.
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